| It wasn't just media news that caused supplement | | | | strategy advances to the search for a partner |
| companies to begin looking for hoodia gordonii | | | | company for "late stage development, sales and |
| supplies. Press releases by Phytopharm, a British | | | | marketing". The partner company for Phytopharm's |
| pharmaceutical company, about researching hoodia | | | | hoodia gordonii product is Unilever, manufacturers of |
| and side effects that might be associated with | | | | food products, dietary supplements and over the |
| hoodia caused the initial stir in the health supplement | | | | counter medications. One of their more famous |
| industry. | | | | products is "Slim Fast". Phytopharm is still researching |
| Phytopharm has two operating divisions; a plant | | | | and investigating the possibility or a drug to treat |
| extract division and a pharmaceutical division. In June | | | | metabolic disorder and hoodia gordonii is the basis for |
| of 1997, Phytopharm announced that "a naturally | | | | this drug. |
| occurring appetite suppressant is to be developed | | | | Phytopharm attempts to obtain patents for naturally |
| into a prescription medicine by Phytopharm". This was | | | | occurring substances. "Phytopica" is a Phytopharm |
| to be Phytopharm's hoodia gordonii product. News of | | | | product for the treatment of dermatitis in dogs and |
| a naturally occurring appetite suppressant sent, not | | | | was just released in April of 2006. Phytopharm's |
| only supplement companies, but those who needed | | | | hoodia gordonii product is patented, but they have |
| to lose weight searching for this "naturally occurring | | | | had more than a little trouble keeping other |
| appetite suppressant". At that time, everyone | | | | manufacturers of natural products from selling their |
| expected Phytopharm's hoodia gordonii product to be | | | | own hoodia products. In May of 2006, they |
| a prescription drug even though it was consistently | | | | announced that they were aware that other |
| referred to by the company as a "natural anti-obesity | | | | companies were selling hoodia gordonii as an appetite |
| treatment". Their collaboration with Pfizer, another | | | | suppressant and that they believed that this could be |
| pharmaceutical company, to research hoodia and side | | | | patent infringement. They said that they had |
| effects that could be caused by hoodia use only | | | | contacted the appropriate authorities. The problem is |
| supported the idea that Phytopharm's hoodia gordonii | | | | that a naturally occurring product can not be |
| would be a prescription drug. Now, since they have | | | | patented. If Phytopharm's hoodia gordonii product is |
| partnered with Unilever, not a pharmaceutical | | | | unique and therefore stronger, safer and better than |
| company, it is somewhat unclear what Phytopharm's | | | | the hoodia products that are currently on the |
| hoodia gordonii product will be. They do seem | | | | market, then how could there be patent infringement |
| committed to the idea that Phytopharm's hoodia | | | | and why would they be concerned about companies |
| gordonii will be superior to products that are currently | | | | that are selling what they imply are inferior products? |
| on the market. | | | | There is no comparison between the known side |
| Phytopharm's product development strategy begins | | | | effects of hoodia and side effects associated with |
| with what they call "proof of principle" clinical testing. | | | | appetite suppressants that contain stimulants. |
| These tests are designed to determine if a product | | | | Products which contain both hoodia and stimulants |
| has the potential to be safe and effective. Proof of | | | | could create a problem. It is believed that problems |
| principle testing of Phytopharm's hoodia gordonii | | | | with Ephedra arose as a result of being mixed with |
| product began in March of 2001. News about hoodia | | | | caffeine or other stimulants. The problem was that |
| and side effects were released after this first phase | | | | this could not be proven without endangering human |
| was completed in December of 2001. This was a | | | | health. Hopefully, Phytopharm's hoodia gordonii |
| naturally occurring substance and there appeared to | | | | product will be stimulant free as are many of the |
| be no side effects associated with its use. After | | | | hoodia products that are currently on the market. |
| completing the initial clinical testing, Phytopharm's | | | | |